The Data Guidebook for Teachers and Leaders

Dr. Depka is an educational consultant and author. Eileen has supervised and coordinated curriculum, instruction, assessment, special education, educational technology, and continuous improvement efforts. In addition, she provides professional development for K-12 administrators and teachers. Eileen has taught all subjects at the elementary and middle levels, and she has also taught graduate-level courses. As a consultant, she has worked with schools and districts across the country, focusing on topics including assessment, grading and reporting, portfolio development, rubrics, continuous improvement, and data collection. Since 1998, Eileen has presented at the local, state, and national levels. Eileen has been featured in and consulted on educational videos, and she has written online courses. She is the author of Focus on Homework, Designing Rubrics for Mathematics, Designing Assessment for Mathematics, and The Data Guidebook for Teachers and Leaders: Tools for Continuous Improvement. She is the co-author of Formative Assessment in the RTI Framework and a contributing author to Data Enhanced Leadership. Her newest book concentrating on questioning strategies will be available later this year through Solution-Tree press. Eileen earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin. Her Master's and Doctoral degrees were earned from Cardinal Stritch University. Eileen is passionate about student achievement and is driven by the belief that all children can achieve academic success. Her goal is to work with teachers and administrators to collectively increase expertise and add to strategy banks used in educational settings in an effort to impact student achievement.

List of Figures Preface About the Author 1. Data-Based Decision Making and the Improvement Process What Do the Experts Say? The Process The Improvement Cycle Closing Thoughts 2. Data Collection What Should Be Collected? Creating a Balance Must-Have Data Tools: The Three "T's" Closing Thoughts 3. Delving Into the Data Getting a Closer Look at Data Defining a Purpose Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance Planning and Implementing the Data Delve Closing Thoughts 4. Standardized and State Test Data Reporting Data Comparing Response Types Item Analysis Promoting Analysis and Discussion Closing Thoughts 5. Using District Assessments District Assessments Collecting the Data Why Collect and Share? Closing Thoughts 6. Rubrics: Data Use and Organization Gaining a Common Understanding: Holistic and Analytical Rubrics Gathering Individual Student Data From Rubrics Reporting Results Communicating With Students Evaluating Group Data From Rubrics Closing Thoughts 7. Classroom Assessment Data The Purpose of Collection Grade Book Highlighting Item Analysis Classroom Disaggregations Rubric Results A Systematic View of Classroom Analysis Daily Reflection Closing Thoughts 8. Students and Data Feedback Reflection Charts and Graphs Closing Thoughts 9. Experiencing Success Generate Interest Make Data a Habit Involve Others Promote the Cycle Create an Expectation Expect Change Provide Support Celebrate Success Bibliography Index

"At last, a book on data that both teachers and administrators can use to improve student achievement. Her text and user-friendly forms guide veterans and novices through a process that makes data an integral part of teaching and learning." -- Kay Burke "This book is full of examples and tools to enhance the use of data within classrooms, schools, and school districts, and can be used by individuals and groups who work within an educational setting, and would like to know more about data and its connection to continuous school improvement." -- From the Preface "Portraying data review as collegial conversation in school teams, Depka provides discussion starters, reflective worksheets, follow-up plans and graphics to guide the team's dialogue." -- Ronald S. Thomas, Associate Director "Offers a straightforward approach that requires very little statistical experience on the part of the reader. Will be invaluable for educators who are looking for a resource as they 'delve into their own data.'" -- Principal Navigator, September 2006